(19)
(11) EP 1 965 009 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
03.09.2008 Bulletin 2008/36

(21) Application number: 08380013.6

(22) Date of filing: 23.01.2008
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E05F 15/00(2006.01)
F16P 3/12(2006.01)
E05F 15/16(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA MK RS

(30) Priority: 01.02.2007 ES 200700266

(71) Applicant: JCM Technologies, S.A.
08500 Vic (Barcelona) (ES)

(72) Inventors:
  • Renalias Zueras, Ricard
    08242 Manresa (Barcelona) (ES)
  • Beringues Algue, Jordi
    17003 Girona (ES)

(74) Representative: Durán Moya, Luis-Alfonso et al
Durán-Corretjer Còrsega, 329
08037 Barcelona
08037 Barcelona (ES)

   


(54) Automatic door system with safety strip and process implementing the said system


(57) Automatic door system with a safety strip comprising:
- an automatic door equipped with a motor,
- a safety strip located at one moving end portion of the door,
- at least one radio frequency transmitter device located in the moving part of the door,
- a fixed radio frequency receiver,
- a motor control device connected to the fixed radio frequency receiver,

characterised in that:
- the transmitter has means to pass from a secondary state of reduced energy consumption or dormant state, a radio frequency receiver and means to pass from the secondary state to a principal state,
- the fixed receiver has a fixed radio frequency transmitter, means to require the transmitter or transmitters to send a state signal and blocking means depending upon the state of the transmitter or transmitters.




Description


[0001] This invention relates to an automatic door system with a safety strip and a process for implementing said system.

[0002] The official standard for garage doors limits the force which can be exerted by the automatic door in the event of collision with an object or a person in order to prevent that object or person from becoming trapped.

[0003] In order to achieve effective force limitation, the fitting of a pressure sensor, known as a "safety strip", located at the end portions of the moving parts of the door is resorted to. This safety strip or strips must be connected to the operating panel to inform the system about eventual collisions.

[0004] However, use of a moving sensor or strip gives rise to another problem of a technical nature because an electrical connection has to be made between a moving part and the operating panel. This is normally resolved by using spiral cables, but over time these become damaged or are torn out through an incorrect operation.

[0005] In order to overcome this problem, the provision of a wireless transmitter on the moving part of the door and a receiver connected to the door motor, generally through the intermediary of the door's control panel, is known.

[0006] For example, document EP1529913 discloses a system of this type in which the transmitter and the receiver communicate through infrared. In addition to other disadvantages which will be described below, this system has the disadvantage that the transmitter and the receiver must remain in line at all times, as a result of which the said system cannot be used for any type of automatic door.

[0007] Document WO 03/069352 discloses a system in which the transmitter and receiver communicate through radio frequency. The communication protocols are one-way.

[0008] Document GB2260164 discloses another wireless system for one-way communication.

[0009] These systems have two basic disadvantages. One disadvantage is the high unloading of the transmitter's battery, which requires very frequent maintenance. Another also significant disadvantage is that it does not permit multiple strips to be fitted to the same door, which is sometimes necessary, as occurs in the case of sliding doors.

[0010] Document EP 1598518 discloses a radio frequency system for one-way communication in which in order to mitigate the problem of transmitter battery consumption a movement sensor and a position sensor are incorporated in the system, which complicates the system and leaves the problem of the inclusion of various pressure sensors on the same door unresolved.

[0011] In order to solve the abovementioned problems this invention comprises an automatic door system with a safety strip which comprises:
  • an automatic door provided with a motor,
  • at least one safety pressure sensor or strip located on one moving end portion of the door,
  • at least one radio frequency transmitter device located on a moving part of the door, to transmit the status of the said sensor or sensors,
  • a fixed radio frequency receiver to receive radio frequency signals originating from the transmitter or transmitters,
  • a motor control device connected to the fixed radio frequency receiver,
characterised in that:
  • the transmitter has means to pass into a secondary state of lower energy consumption or a dormant state of a radio frequency receiver and means to pass from the secondary state to a principal state when it receives a radio frequency signal originating from the fixed receiver,
  • the fixed receiver has a fixed radio frequency transmitter, means to require the transmitter or transmitters to send a state signal and blocking means depending upon the state of the transmitter or transmitters.


[0012] The system according to this invention provides a solution to the abovementioned problems by providing a system which uses a two-way communications strategy via radio frequency, in which the moving transmitters have a secondary energy-saving state which they abandon when a signal is sent by the fixed receiver. The system according to this invention makes it possible to combine different safety strips with a single receiver, and furthermore achieves a considerable saving in energy for the moving transmitters.

[0013] In this preferred way the transmitter comprises a controller, a transmitter/receiver or transceiver, a push-button, a battery and a safety strip reader circuit. For its part, and again in a preferred way, the receiver comprises a controller, a transmitter/receiver, a push-button, a warning device to give notice of malfunction conditions in the system, for example a buzzer, a control output and a power input.

[0014] In a likewise preferred way both the receiver and the transmitter emit a reception confirmation signal once a radio frequency signal originating from the receiver or the transmitter or transmitters has been received. Through this checking strategy the transmitter "knows" whether its message has reached its destination and can repeat it as many times as is necessary, which increases the safety of the door.

[0015] In a specially preferred embodiment the transmitter or transmitters have means to check the status of the sensor, activating the said sensor at predetermined intervals.

[0016] This invention also comprises a process for operating a system according to this invention, characterised in that on receipt of a command to start movement the fixed receiver sends a command to the transmitter or transmitters so that they pass from a secondary energy-saving state to a principal state and send a check signal to the fixed receiver, blocking the movement of the door if the fixed receiver does not receive the check signals within a predetermined time.

[0017] Preferably the transmitter or transmitters can carry out a check test on the sensor, sending a positive check signal only if the sensor check test detects no malfunctions in the same.

[0018] Again preferably, furthermore, the transmitter or transmitters carry out a check test on the sensor at predetermined intervals, sending a negative check signal to the receiver if the test detects any malfunction in the sensor.

[0019] For a better understanding of the invention, drawings of an embodiment of the invention are appended by way of an explanatory non-restrictive example.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the elements of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the elements diagrammatically.

Figures 3 and 4 represent sensor test signals before a manoeuvre is carried out, with a positive and negative result respectively.



[0020] Figure 1 shows an automated moving door -1- operated by means of a motor -6- which has a safety strip or safety sensor -2-. Strip -2- is connected to a transmitter -3-located on the moving part of the door which communicates by radio frequency with a receiver -4- connected to the control panel -5- for the motor -6- operating door -1-.

[0021] Strip -2- comprises a pressure sensor which may comprise a connecting cable, a rubber with a non-resistive conductor and a resistance, for example 8K2, to close the circuit. If the safety strip is undeformed it has a resistance 8K2. If any contact with an object occurs the conductor in the rubber short circuits and the strip comes to have a lower resistance, close to 0 ohms.

[0022] Transmitter -3- acts as an interface detecting the state of the safety strip and transmitting this through radio frequency. Transmitter -3- may comprise a controller, a transceiver (transmitter/receiver), a push-button and a powering battery.

[0023] Receiver -4- acts as a controller for transmitter - 3-, and may receive information from one or more transmitters -3-. Receiver -4- may place the system in a safe state, preventing door -1- from moving if necessary. The receiver may comprise a controller, a transceiver, a push-button, a buzzer, a power supply and its corresponding output or outputs.

[0024] Operating panel -5- is responsible for operating motor -6-. It is also the ultimate component responsible for responding if an obstacle is detected, this being communicated to it by strip -2-, transmitter -3-, receiver -4-.

[0025] Preferably connection -45- between receiver -4- and operating panel -5- is of the resistive type, with a resistance -46- (see Figure 2) such that the operating panel can make a check, especially before starting an action, to rule out possible malfunctioning of receiver -4- . In fact resistance -25-, which has a known value, can provide a check that the cable has not suffered any short circuit or been cut at any time.

[0026] A preferred manner of operation of the system described is as follows:

A preferred communication strategy to ensure correct transfer of information between transmitter -3- and receiver -4- is a two-way system comprising "LBT" (listen before transmitting) and "ACK" (transmission of confirmation after receipt) protocols.



[0027] If confirmation is not received, the elements will preferably repeat the transmission.

[0028] Preferably receiver -4- has knowledge in an electronic memory of the various transmitters -3- which have to be controlled.

[0029] Transmitter -3- is normally in a secondary energy-saving state, "dormant state", to save battery. The transmitter is configured to wake up at regular intervals, for example:
  • It checks the state of the strip every 10 milliseconds. If nothing has changed, it returns to the dormant state. If a change has occurred transmitter -3- informs receiver -4-.
  • At a specific interval (which according to this invention may be less than 0.75 s) it listens via the transceiver. If it does not receive any request proceeding from receiver -4- it again returns to the dormant state.
  • At intervals of more than 3 seconds, more preferably 15 seconds, and even more preferably 20 seconds or more, it sends its state to receiver 4.


[0030] Receiver -4- preferably carries out the following actions.
  • If it receives a signal originating from any of transmitters -3- present in its memory, it evaluates that signal and activates the safe state of the system.
  • If in the determined interval (20 seconds) it does not receive the state of all transmitters -3- in memory, it activates the safe state of the system.
  • When the operating panel requires that the door be operated, the receiver transmits a request to all transmitters -3- by radio frequency so that they carry out a state test on sensors -2- and respond.


[0031] Figure 3 shows the signals from a state check test with a positive result.

[0032] Signal -100- represents for example the time for the transmission of a command for a test to be carried out to transmitters -3- and transmission of its result by radio frequency, which occurs during a time -102-. Once the result of the self-test has been received, the receiver activates output -103- which enables panel -5- to carry out the operation.

[0033] Figure 4 represents a case in which the test fails, and there is no transmission of a positive state test.

[0034] Also, preferably, each transmitter -3- will provide information of the status of the battery charge at each transmission in such a way that centralised information can be held and an alarm can be generated before malfunctioning occurs.

[0035] Although the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments, these must not be regarded as restricting the invention, which will be defined by the broadest interpretation of the following claims.


Claims

1. Automatic door system with a safety strip comprising:

- an automatic door equipped with a motor,

- at least one pressure sensor or safety strip located at one moving end portion of the door,

- at least one radio frequency transmitting device, located in a moving part of the door, to transmit the state of the said sensor or sensors,

- a fixed radio frequency receiver to receive radio frequency signals originating from the transmitter or transmitters,

- a motor control device connected to the fixed radio frequency receiver,

characterised in that:

- the transmitter has means to change from a secondary state of lesser energy consumption or dormant state, a radio frequency receiver and means to pass from the secondary state to a principal state when it receives a radio frequency signal originating from the fixed receiver,

- the fixed receiver has a fixed radio frequency transmitter, means to require the transmitter or transmitters to send a state signal and means for blocking according to the state of the transmitter or transmitters.


 
2. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmitter comprises:

- an electronic controller

- a transmitter/receiver,

- a push-button,

- a battery,

- a safety strip reader circuit.


 
3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the receiver comprises:

- an electronic controller,

- a transmitter/receiver,

- a push-button,

- a warning device,

- a control output,

- a power input.


 
4. A system according to claim 3, characterised in that the warning device is a buzzer.
 
5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that both the receiver and the transmitter check the receipt of radio frequency signals before transmitting a radio frequency signal.
 
6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that both the transmitter and the receiver transmit a reception confirmation signal once a radio frequency signal originating from the receiver or the transmitter or transmitters has been received.
 
7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the transmitter or transmitters have means to check the state of the sensor, activating such means at determined intervals.
 
8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the transmitter has means to activate its radio frequency receiver to receive signals at determined intervals.
 
9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the transmitter has means to transmit a state signal at predetermined intervals.
 
10. A system according to claim 9, characterised in that the means to transmit a state signal from the transmitter transmit a state signal at intervals of more than 3 seconds.
 
11. A system according to claim 10, characterised in that the said interval is equal to or greater than 15 seconds.
 
12. A system according to claim 11, characterised in that the said interval is equal to or greater than 20 seconds.
 
13. A process for operating a system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that upon an order to initiate movement the fixed receiver transmits a command to the transmitter or transmitters so that they pass from a secondary energy-saving state to a principal state and send a check signal to the fixed receiver, blocking movement of the door if the fixed receiver does not receive the check signals within a predetermined time.
 
14. A process according to claim 13, characterised in that the transmitter or transmitters carry out a sensor check test, only sending a positive check signal if the sensor check test does not detect any malfunctions in it.
 
15. A process according to claim 13 or 14, in which furthermore the transmitter or transmitters carry out a check test on their sensor at predetermined intervals, sending a negative check signal to the receiver if the test detects any malfunction in the sensor.
 




Drawing

















Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description